Now that the weather is looking bearable again, it’s time to go back outside and adventure. Here are some great picnic pairings that you’ll enjoy after a long hike or just a relaxing day on the parkway- they all go great with a beautiful view.
1. Sushi
Photo courtesy of flickriver.com
If you’re coming up from a hike and want to keep up your healthy streak, this meal is satisfying, delicious, refreshing, and healthy. Grab some sushi to-go at your local grocery store like Harris Teeter. Or, you can even make your own homemade sushi, it’s easier than it may sound- and fun too!
#SpoonTip: To go with the sushi, chop up some pineapples, strawberries, grapes, mangoes, and raspberries. Add in some of your favorite Greek yogurt to make it a healthful fruit salad.
2. Bread and Cheese
Photo courtesy of vinepair.com
Grab your favorite bottle of wine and get classy. Bring along a couple of baguettes and a cheese/meat platter. Olives, grapes, and pomegranates will add a great touch to the whole masterpiece. You just brought France to the Blue Ridge, voila.
3. Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Photo courtesy of foodandwine.com
Add some variety to your plain tomato salad. Sprinkle on some toasted cumin seeds and a pinch of salt, and add some minced cucumbers. Bring along some grilled chicken and roasted potatoes wrapped in tin foil to create a fully rounded and amazing meal.
4. Avocado and Mint Salad
Photo courtesy of tastespace.wordpress.com
For a refreshing and unique salad, combine avocado, your choice of fruit, and some mint leaves. To go with this, bring a baked sweet potato and wrap it in tin foil. Add some brown sugar to sprinkle onto the potato to enhance its flavor.
#SpoonTip: if you’re planning on putting any type of dressing on your salads, make sure you bring it in a separate container and then add it on to the salad right before you eat it. No one likes a soggy salad.
5. Grilled Chicken Burrito
Photo by Darya Silchenko
If you love Mexican food as much as I do, bring that love with you to the mountains. Of course, bring your favorite chips, salsa, and guacamole. If you can make a fire, bring a pan with you to make a quick and easy, but juicy, burrito. Put butter or oil at the bottom of your pan. Then, place chopped up strips of chicken inside. After the chicken is done, place your wrap inside of the pan. Fill your burrito with the chicken, avocados, tomatoes, and your favorite veggies. The effort is worth the joy you will experience eating this thing, trust me.
6. Lox and Cream Cheese Bagel
Photo courtesy of npr.org
If you have a long hike back down, this picnic combination will give you that energy you need to make it back. As your ‘main course’, put lox and cream cheese on a poppyseed bagel and add red onions and sliced tomatoes. As a side, create a spinach salad with beets, grapes, and cottage cheese. To finish off, take along a bag of sugar snap peas or steamed edamame as a light snack.
7. Veggie Plate
Photo by Darya Silchenko
Here’s a nice veggie picnic idea to go with the earthy mountain vibes. Rack up a veggie plate with carrots, celery, bell peppers, cucumbers, and your other favorite veggies. Toast slices of pita bread to go with your preference of hummus. Another great addition to this meal would be a cold pasta salad. If you were looking for nutritious and delicious, you found it.
8. Italian Subs
Photo Courtesy of recipeshubs.com
This picnic makes for a good ole fashioned American meal. Make some Italian subs with your favorite ingredients. Of course, you need a healthy snack, so bring bell peppers and some ranch to go on the side. Now since you got the healthy snack, bring a couple of chocolate chip cookies to finish off and regain the calories you lost on the hike. To wash the meal down, bring some homemade sweet tea. ‘Merica.
#SpoonTip: if you want tomatoes in your Italian subs, put them in the middle of every other ingredient. If you put them directly on the bread, it might make it soggy. Again, who wants soggy food?
And make sure you don’t forget these essential picnic items:
An ice pack, eco-friendly or reusable plates/cups, eating utensils, cutting boards, napkins, trash bags, paper towels, and a blanket.
Adventure and great food await!
Photo by Darya Silchenko